Finding God in the New Year (Jan. 10-13)

In this series we’re starting out the New Year in a way that Christians have historically started each New Year – with an extended reflection on the life of Jesus from his baptism to his transfiguration (Epiphany, Jan. 6., launches this season). To do this, we are using four practices based on the work of a passionate follower of Jesus named Ignatius. We are taking a brief stories from the life of Jesus and, with each one, practicing contemplation, meditation, Examen and letter-writing. Through these four habits of about ten to fifteen minutes each we are growing in our ability to discern God’s presence and work in our lives. Our hope is that the attentiveness that we gain through these exercises will begin to stay with us throughout the day, and that we will, in the words of Ignatius’ spiritual community the Jesuits, eventually gain the capacity to “find God in all things.” The first four days were spent reflecting on the baptism of Jesus. The next four will be spent reflecting on the testing of Jesus in the wilderness.

JANUARY 10-13
FINDING GOD IN THE TESTING OF JESUS
January 10
Finding God in the Testing of Jesus through Contemplation
Matt. 4:1-11 ESV

1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

The Spirit who descended upon Jesus in his baptism now leads Jesus away “into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” The “temptation” (the word also means “testing”) occurs in the context of 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, a nod to Israel’s experience of 40 years of testing in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2–3). Jesus responds to each test by quoting Deuteronomy, further tying this event to Israel’s experience in the desert. The primary focus is on Deuteronomy 6–8, three times quoted by(v. 4 = Deut. 8:3; v. 7 = Deut. 6:16; v. 10 = Deut. 6:13).

The temptations/tests have a range of meanings and applications. Henri Nouwen once summarized them as the temptations to be…

relevant (“Turn these stones to bread.”),
spectacular (“Throw yourself from the temple.”), and
powerful (“I will give you the kingdoms of the world.”).

The scene reminds us of the powerful truth taught by the Hebrew author:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15 ESV).

Today we strive to find God in this story through contemplation. We hope to hear a word from God for our present life through this ancient text–a word that will heighten our awareness of God all day long.

Find or create a quiet space where you will not be interrupted for ten to fifteen minutes.
If possible, set a timer for ten to fifteen minutes so you will not be anxious about how much time passes.
It can be helpful to have a journal with you. Or you can use the margins of this book as a space for recording important insights.
Ignatius believed it to be very important to begin and end every Spiritual Exercise in the same way. That is, he encouraged us to find a ritual for starting and finishing a time of spiritual reflection. Mark Thibodeaux suggests choosing from personal rituals like these: Make the sign of the cross; Say the Lord’s Prayer; Sing or hum one verse or the refrain of a favorite hymn; Bow in prayerful reverence; Place hands, palms up, in a gesture of receptivity; Light a candle; Quiet yourself down by slowing your breathing and sitting very still for a moment; Ask God to make his presence known.

READ

Read the Scripture about Jesus’ test slowly and silently.
Read the Scripture again, this time out loud.
Read the Scripture once more, slowly and silently.
If needed, keep reading until a word or a phrase catches your attention. Perhaps it catches your attention because it confuses you. Maybe it grabs your attention because it sounds familiar. It could be something that seems to move your emotionally. It may be one of the many pieces of conversation recorded in this story. Or, it may be more generally the idea of testing/ temptation – in what way does this story lead you to think about tests/ temptations you are currently facing?
Once you have that word or phrase, write it down in a journal, in the margins of this book, or circle it in the Scripture text in this book or in your own Bible.

REFLECT

Now, reflect upon that word or phrase. Assume that this is a word to you from God for today. Consider why. What’s happening in your life that seems to need that word or phrase? What situation or slice of your life appears to need that word or phrase? What problem does it answer today? What pain does it comfort today? What sin does it challenge today? What ignorance does it inform today? What call to action does it issue today? Does the word invite you to be something? Does it invite you to do something?
In a short phrase or sentence, write down some answers to those questions in your journal, in the margins of this book or in your Bible.

RESPOND

Take a moment or two to speak to God about what you’ve heard. If it’s a word that has brought comfort or insight, thank God for it. If it’s a word that has called for action, speak to God about the action you intend to take. If this text has prompted repentance or change in your heart, communicate with God about that.

REST

Spend a moment in silence, simply being with God. God has spoken. You have listened. You have spoken. God has listened. Now just enjoy being in his presence for a moment.

January 11
Finding God in the Testing of Jesus through Meditation
Matt. 4:1-11 ESV

Today we seek to find God through this text using meditation–immersing yourself in the story and imagining what it would be like to hear, see, taste, touch and smell all that’s happening in it.

Find a still and quiet place.
Begin in your usual way (see above).
Ask God to help you immerse yourself in this story.
Read the text slowly several times. As you do, imagine the following experiences: the temperature in the wilderness; the sight of the devil; the hunger in your belly after forty days of fasting; the sound of the devil’s voice; the sound of Jesus’ voice; the taste of bread; the sight of the temple; the elevation of the mountain; the sound of the angels; the satisfaction and comfort of the angels’ ministry to you.
Because much of this text is dialogue, we’ll focus our attention on what we hear. Read the text once more. When you come to a piece of dialogue, read it out loud. Which piece of dialogue most captures your attention? Underline it or jot it down in your journal or in the margin of your Bible or this page.
Now reflect prayerfully on that piece of dialogue. What’s happening in your life which needs those words? What test or temptation do those words help you face today?
End by thanking God for his presence in this day.

January 12
Finding God in the Testing of Jesus through the Examen
Matt. 4:1-11 ESV

Today we seek to grow in our ability to discern God’s presence and power through the practice of the Examen. We want to consider the last full day or half day that has passed. And, using insights from the text above, we want to “relive” those past moments to see where and how God showed up. To guide today’s Examen, we’ll use Jesus’ words in v. 10: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”

Find a quiet space where you can be without interruption or distraction for about fifteen minutes.
Begin in your usual way. (See above.)
Ask God to help you see the past day or half day through his eyes.
In your mind, rewind the day or half-day. Imagine pressing “Play” and allowing the record of the past day or half-day to slowly start moving forward. Try to notice people you interacted with, actions you took or did not take, emotions you felt, and things that were happening around you.
As the record of the day moves forward try to notice two things:
Moments when you were aware of God and you did what you did in that moment out of a genuine desire to honor him and/or draw near to him (worship him only) or out of an authentic desire to participate with him in his work in the world (serve him only).
Moments when you were not aware of God and/or when you may have honored/ drawn near to powers or people who may have overshadowed God at that moment or when you did not participate with God’s work in the world.
Spend a few moments responding to God in prayer based on your recollection of those moments above.
End by praying for God to help you live the next day/half day with greater awareness of him, greater desire to honor him and draw near to him, and greater ability to join him in his work.

January 13
Finding God in the Testing of Jesus through Letter Writing
Matt. 4:1-11 ESV

Today we seek to grow in our ability to discern God’s presence and power through the writing of a brief letter to God from you and from God to you. These letters are to grow out of what you’ve experienced during the past three days as you’ve meditated and contemplated Matthew’s story of the testing/ temptation of Jesus.

Find a quiet and still space for the next fifteen minutes.
Read over the text of Matthew’s story of Jesus’ test.
Review anything else you’ve written over the past three days that grew out of your reflection upon this story.
Something may rise to the surface that becomes the focus of today’s letters. If so, go with it. If not, consider using this focus: “Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”
Write a brief letter to the Father, Jesus or the Spirit. It can be as few as four or five sentences, or as long as you’d like. Consider beginning it in this way: “Father (or Jesus or Spirit), I am facing a test/ trial/ temptation and I need you to minister to me in the midst of it…”
Now write a brief letter from the Father, Jesus or the Spirit to you. Imagine how he would reply to the letter you’ve just written. It can be just a few sentences long or as long as you’d like.
Review that last letter. Is there a word or a phrase that seems important to you? Commit it to memory and bring it to mind during the rest of this day.
End by praying for God to help you find him in all things today.